Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /media/www/hollywood/Web/releases/20150325105258/vendor/doctrine/common/lib/Doctrine/Common/Annotations/FileCacheReader.php on line 202
Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /media/www/hollywood/Web/releases/20150325105258/vendor/doctrine/common/lib/Doctrine/Common/Annotations/FileCacheReader.php on line 202
Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /media/www/hollywood/Web/releases/20150325105258/vendor/doctrine/common/lib/Doctrine/Common/Annotations/FileCacheReader.php on line 202
Paula Abdul & Jason Derulo Join 'So You Think You Can Dance'

By:
WENN.com
Jan 22, 2015

Singer/choreographer Paula Abdul and R&amp;B star Jason Derulo have been tapped to join the judging panel for U.S. competition program So You Think You Can Dance.
Both the Opposites Attract singer and Talk Dirty hitmaker have served as guest judges on the Emmy-winning reality show, but producers announced on Thursday (22Jan15) that both will be regulars for the upcoming 12th season.
Abdul, who previously served on the judging panel for American Idol and both U.K. and U.S. versions of The X Factor, shares her excitement for the new venture in a statement which reads: "I have dedicated a large part of my career as a choreographer to discovering and mentoring some of the most iconic artists and performers from all over the world. So You Think You Can Dance has a long-standing history of launching brilliant careers for young choreographers and dancers in the industry."
Derulo adds, "I am truly excited, and eagerly look forward to joining the cast of So You Think You Can Dance. It is one of the most respected and longest-tenured shows on network television, and I hope to be a part of new growth and continued success."
Abdul and Derulo join returning judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe on the panel, with host Cat Deeley returning as presenter. The new season of So You Think You Can Dance begins in the U.S. this summer (15).

Former screen siren Raquel Welch has found love with TV talent show boss Nigel Lythgoe, according to a new U.K. report. The 73-year-old Hollywood icon has been dating the American Idol producer, 64, for more than a month and is said to be smitten with the Brit, sources tell the Sunday Express.
An insider explains, "Raquel finds Nigel fascinating and an absolute English gentleman. Even though she is almost 10 years older than him, she stills looks great and Nigel is so smitten he seems to almost worship the ground she walks on.
"The chemistry between them is so strong, they are just going with it. Raquel's fully aware that age might not be on her or Nigel's side. But I haven't seen her as happy as she is with him for more years than I care to remember."
Lythgoe most recently dated Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla, while The One Million Years B.C. beauty has four failed marriages behind her.

"He'll probably tell the kid off every day: 'You're leaving the house!' I thought he was a confirmed bachelor... I don't think he really thought this relationship was going to be going anywhere in truth; it was his best friend's wife. I think it came as a surprise to everybody really." Simon Cowell's longtime American Idol collaborator Nigel Lythgoe admits he was just as shocked as everyone else when it was announced the TV and music mogul was expecting a child with Lauren Silverman. Cowell confirmed the news at the premiere of One Direction's new film in London on Tuesday (20Aug13).

On Thursday June 25, ten African-American plaintiffs, all of whom were once contestants on American Idol, filed a 429-page lawsuit alleging massive racial discrimination on the part of not only Fox, but executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, Fremantle Media, and various corporate sponsors of the long-running singing competition series. The contestants' lawyer, James H. Freeman, is no stranger to this kind of massive lawsuit, having filed a $500 million suit against Lionsgate earlier this year. Needless to say, he's also taking a very different approach than a similar lawsuit that was filed, and dismissed, alleging racial discrimination regarding the casting of female suitors on The Bachelor. Here's how the Idol lawsuit breaks down:
1. It's about Disqualifications, Not Advancement
The Bachelor lawsuit emphasized that African-American women were routinely failing to make the cut of contenders for that much-coveted rose. The problem there was that they weren't getting on TV at all. With Idol, the problem isn't that black artists don't make it on-camera, it's that they are subsequently disqualified for previous criminal records at an alarming rate. The suit claims "31% of every American Idol Semi-Finalist contestant [Top 24, Top 36-40] who happened to be a young Black male was disqualified from the competition for reasons wholly unrelated to their singing talent." Usually, these disqualifications were because of criminal records, which the suit alleges Fox played up to "scandal-monger Nielsen ratings while reinforcing the age-old stereotype of the 'black criminal.'" Never once has a white contestant been disqualified for a non-singing-related matter.
2. Unlike The Bachelor, Idol is a Contest
A court ruled that The Bachelor case had no merit because the selection of suitors was in essence "casting," something that falls under the 1st Amendment right of a TV show for free expression. The Idol suit alleges that American Idol by contrast is a "contest," and that "casting" only occurs during the initial round when producers deliberately choose to air footage of the very worst contenders, who they know already have no chance of advancing. After that initial round, it's a contest, and Fox and Fremantle's 1st Amendment right does not extend to the disqualification of contestants for non-singing-related matters.
3. African-American Artists Are Allegedly "Pigeon-Holed"
The suit claims that while white artists are allowed to perform whatever songs they want, black artists are steered by producers toward "genre-appropriate" songs — presumably Motown, soul, R&amp;B.
4. American Idol Contestant Contracts Should Be Thrown Out
Contestants sign contracts that basically prevent them having any kind of legal maneuverability against Idol and usually, if not always, mandate that disputes enter arbitration rather than a court of law. Freeman's suit claims that these are "highly oppressive, unconscionable Willy Wonka contracts," that offer contestants a spurious Golden Ticket and should not be considered legally binding.
Think that the lawsuit has merit?
Follow Christian Blauvelt on Twitter @Ctblauvelt | Follow Hollywood.com on Twitter @Hollywood_com
More: Nicki Minaj Is Leaving ‘American Idol’ ‘American Idol’ Season 12: And the Winner Is… ‘American Idol’ Season 12 Finale Recap
From Our PartnersBattle of the Bikini Bodies (Celebuzz)Fangbanging: Complete Guide to All of 'True Blood's Sex Scenes (Vh1)

As of Saturday, Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson is off the market for good. He married his longtime love, lawyer Justin Mikita, in New York City, People confirms.
Ferguson, 37, and Mikita, 27, got engaged last year on a vacation to Mexico after being together nearly two years. Tony Kushner, acclaimed playwright and screenwriter, officiated Saturday's ceremony. Some of the guests in attendance included Ferguson's Modern Family costar Julie Bowen, as well as Nigel Lythgoe, Cat Deeley, and Mary Murphy from So You Think You Can Dance, where Ferguson was a guest judge.
Bowen said the event was the "#bestweddingever," while Lythgoe tweeted, "I think the service at Justin and Jesse's wedding was so beautiful honest. It was so emotionally that when we weren't laughing we were crying."
Rather than wedding gifts (which, let's face it, are sometimes lame anyway), Ferguson and Mikita asked their guests to donate to their marriage equality charity Tie the Knot to help same-sex couples win equal rights in other states. The charity also has a bow tie shop, and bow ties are cool.
Follow Jordyn on Twitter @jordynmyah | Follow Hollywood.Com On Twitter @Hollywood_Com
More:Jesse Tyler Ferguson Is Engaged: 'I Popped the Big Q'Twitter Explosion: Celebs Chime In About SCOTUS Rulings On Doma and Prop 8Kirk Cameron's Anti-Gay Rant: Debra Messing, Jesse Tyler Ferguson &amp; More Respond
From Our PartnersBattle of the Bikini Bodies (Celebuzz)Complete Guide to Strippers in Movies and TV (Vh1)

So You Think You Can Dance producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe has heard your outrage and responded to it. This past week, fans of the Fox dance competition show cried foul as a result of Season 10's elimination format. Carlos Garland and Brittany Cherry were revealed to be in the Bottom 4 in the first few minutes of the broadcast then cut by the judges immediately after their "Dance For Your Life" solos. However, Garland and Cherry had to continue to dance throughout the episodes, since their respective partners hadn't been eliminated — meaning that without any competitive incentive for them, Garland and Cherry weren't as motivated to support their partners. It's a structural flaw that could undermine the integrity of the entire show.
The problem began in Season 9 when Fox cut the SYTYCD results show, forcing the producers to combine the competition and results in one episode each week. Now Lythgoe has tweeted that, going forward, the judges' final elimination of two contestants will not occur at the very beginning of the episode, but at the end, after the competitive dancing rounds.
We're taking your advice by revealing America's vote in the beginning and judging at the end. I hope it will inspire the bottom 4? Thank you
— Nigel Lythgoe (@dizzyfeet) July 5, 2013
Do you think the change will prevent the awkwardness we saw this week? Or is it just a Band-Aid for the bigger problem caused by eliminating the results show?
Follow Christian Blauvelt on Twitter@Ctblauvelt | Follow Hollywood.com on Twitter@Hollywood_com
More: ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Season 10 Premiere Recap The 10 Best SYTYCD Numbers Ever What Would Happen if John Lennon Had Auditioned for ‘The Voice’
From Our PartnersStars Pose Naked for 'Allure' (Celebuzz)20 Grisliest TV Deaths of 2012-2013 (Vulture)

And now we have even more shake-ups for American Idol fans. Shortly after announcing that the Idol Summer tour has been cut short, it looks like longtime executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick will not be returning for American Idol’s 13th season.
According to The Wrap, the producers have been fired in an effort to shake up the show and win back their consistently dwindling viewers. Lythgoe and Warwick launched American Idol together back in 2002 following the success of their first reality singing completion Britain’s Pop Idol. Their rumored departure follows on the heels of news that FOX’s alternative programming president, Mike Darnell, was leaving his post at the network after 18 years.
FOX is clearly trying to shake things up at Idol now that it’s been announced that Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Nicki Minaj are not returning as judges for Season 13. It's rumored that Jennifer Hudson is thisclose to signing the deal to lead a panel former Idol contestants-turned-judges.
Follow Leanne on Twitter @LeanneAguilera| Follow Hollywood.com on Twitter @hollywood_com
More: Mariah Carey And Nicki Minaj Are Leaving 'American Idol' Is Jennifer Hudson The Newest 'American Idol' Judge? Yo, Yo, Yo: Randy Jackson Leaving 'American Idol' Is Not Dope, Y'all
From Our Partners:Zoe Saldana Strips Down For Magazine (Celebuzz)33 Child Stars: Where Are They Now? (Celebuzz)

American Idol Season 12 has finally come to a close and with that comes the crowning of a new champion. We already knew it would be a lady, breaking Idol's cute-boys-with-guitars streak. Candice Glover and Kree Harrison ended the night with a lovely duet, before Candice was crowned this season's winner.
For the first time in what feels like eons, the final moments of the Idol broadcast were excruciating. Every second Ryan Seacrest held in that secret like a greedy soap opera butler was the longest second of our lives. Watching Kree and Candice hold each other like sisters, knowing that no matter whose name was called both girls would be smiling just as robustly. When Candice's name was called, it was a result so perfect it was almost as if Nigel Lythgoe wrote it himself.
After two auditions for Idol and one hurtful rejection during Season 11's Vegas week, it was Candice's time. She'd acheived the confidence that was standing between us and her incredible talent. She'd blown us away week after week. She'd earned it.
For all the sweet, talented Kree is, Candice is simple and phenomenon. Watching her perform alongside former unfairly rejected contestant and current superstar Jennifer Hudson was a sign: this was Candice's night. The incredible duet was like proof that we've moved past the point where someone as incredible as Hudson can be deprived of her sparkling finale shower. Idol finale moved past its cute boy stage, so it only makes sense that it would move onto an era in which the rightful winner is given her due praise.
As Candice sang "I Am Beautiful" while her tears flowed freely and her fellow contestants surrounded her with love and support, it was almost as if we hadn't lost the Idol we know and love. It was almost as if nothing had changed. The judges, and their constant revolutions and switcheroos, didn't matter. Jimmy Iovine's forced "crush" on Nicki Minaj didn't matter. What mattered was Candice and her final, beautiful, sweet moment, three years in the making.
You deserve it, girl.
Follow Kelsea on Twitter @KelseaStahler
More:Has Candice Glover Already Won?Kree and Candice on Their Finals Singles'American Idol' Top 2 Results Are Actually Shocking
From Our Partners:Zoe Saldana Strips Down For Magazine (Celebuzz)33 Child Stars: Where Are They Now? (Celebuzz)

The search for America's favorite dancer is on, as So You Think You Can Dance's 10th season premiered on Fox Tuesday night. The ever lovely Cat Deeley has returned to once again steer the ship and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe and ballroom expert Mary Murphy (as they are introduced each episode) are back as permanent judges. Joining Mary and Nigel on the judges panel in Los Angeles, the first stop on SYTYCD's audition tour, is Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson — Tie the Knot bow tie and all.
For those of you new to SYTYCD, here's how this early stage works: After a preliminary round of group improvisational auditions (which are not shown on camera), the standouts — both talented and ridiculous — are sent on to perform a short solo for the judges. The judges then have the ability to either send the dancer straight through to the next round of auditions in Las Vegas or say no thank you and send them back home. If the judges are on the fence, they can ask the dancer to stick around and learn some choreography in order to further assess their potential. After the choreography round, there is another bout of cuts.
For the premiere, SYTYCD wisely decided to focus on the good, rather than the bad or the ugly. The episode was filled with plenty of tickets to Vegas and nary a robot costume or lucha libre mask. I hope this is a sign of things to come, as I would much rather spend more time watching the dancers we will come to root for thrive in these early rounds than laugh at another twerking wannabe.
On Tuesday, we were introduced to a few contenders it would be wise to keep an eye on. First, we met Du-Shaunt Stegall, stage name "Fik-shun." Reminiscent of Season 9's Dragon House Crew, Du-Shaunt is a talented street dancer specializing in locking and animation. When the judges sent him straight through to Vegas they were surely hoping they had another Cyrus or Twitch on their hands.
Next was Malece Miller, a bubbly 19-year-old with a Robyn haircut and killer acrobatic skills from Salt Lake City, Utah — a city known for turning out fierce dancers. Malece may have the face of a precious porcelain doll (as Ferguson pointed out) but she danced with a maturity far beyond her years. As is common in this first round, you have to look past the mediocre, dance studio choreography to her actual quality of movement in order to assess her potential, but I think this girl has got it. She's also got a sob story to make her TV-worthy — her mom sacrificed everything in order to keep Malece in dance class. Malece, of course, was sent straight through to Vegas.
Following Malece we are introduced to Paul Karmiryan, a latin ballroom dancer and — it just so happens — the winner of SYTYCD: Armenia. Karmiryan wowed the judges, but I wasn't so impressed. Maybe he, like Malece, suffered from overly simple choreography, but while a clean and confident dancer, Karmiryan seemed to lack the charisma that would make him stand out from a crowd. He also has some strange mannerisms he's going to need to get rid of stat — I mean, you're killing me with those broken wrists and claw hands.
My favorite of the night was Taylor Ward, a softball player who gave up a college sports scholarship in order to dance. Already a sympathetic figure after telling a story about making her recently deceased grandfather proud, Taylor dramatically dislocated her knee while practicing her solo moments before stepping on stage. In front of the judges, it was clear Taylor (smartly) toned down her routine to account for her unexpected injury. Obviously a strong dancer — holy muscles! — she seemed to move timidly and avoid tricks that would further twerk (meaning twist, not booty shake) her knee. In my first, "You're crazy, judges," moment of the season, they asked her to complete the choreography round before sending her to Vegas. The lady is hurt, guys — you really want her to risk further injury in a round you know she can sail through?
The final story focused on brothers Eric and Lorenzo Chapman, who call themselves the GR818ERS. While their group name is dumb, the work these men are doing is admirable. Eric and Lorenzo, along with a third, non-auditioning man (who I assume to be GR818ERS founder Pierre Arreola), have created a program for teaching kids hip-hop in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California as a way to keep them away from gang violence. The Chapman brothers weren't advanced to the next round, but by appearing on the show they were able to give airtime to their inspirational organization. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the GR818ERS kids perform on an episode later in the season.
Wednesday night, SYTYCD travels to Detroit for the first time.
Follow Abbey On Twitter @AbbeyStone
More:The Best 10 'SYTYCD' Numbers of All Time'SYTYCD' Season 9 Finale Recap'SYTYCD' Recap: There Is Something to be Said for Having Tact, Nigel
From Our Partners:Zoe Saldana Strips Down For Magazine (Celebuzz)33 Child Stars: Where Are They Now? (Celebuzz)